NHL 14
- Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: Sports
Common Sense Media says
This year's fun hockey sim shows a more aggressive game.
- Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: Sports
NHL 14 gallery
What parents need to know
Positive role models
Ease of play
Violence
Sex
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Privacy & safety
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that NHL 14 is a pro hockey simulation that has some violence -- just like the real sport -- including body checks and fistfights on the ice. The game also supports full voice support in multiplayer matches, therefore online gamers might hear swearing or other inappropriate words or phrases.
What kids can learn
Subjects
Science
- momentum
- physics
Hobbies
- sports
Skills
Thinking & Reasoning
- strategy
- applying information
Self-Direction
- achieving goals
- time management
Collaboration
- meeting challenges together
- teamwork
Responsibility & Ethics
- following codes of conduct
Engagement, Approach, Support
NHL 14 is engaging for kids (and kids at heart) as it lets them play as or against their favorite players, sharpen their knowledge of skills on the ice, and flex their financial and organizational skills in the front office.
Players learn hockey league rules and codes of conduct, as well as sharpen their dexterity and social skills. Other game modes let you decide ticket and concession stand prices, draft players, deal with injuries and more.
The game has a tutorial mode and a screen that shows you the controller layout. But there isn't a lot of other help offered here. The game gives you a lot of data based on your performance but doesn't adjust for your skill level.
User reviews
Parents say
Kids say
What's it about?
Another year, another NHL hockey video game from EA Sports. As with past games in the series, NHL 14 lets you play as or against your favorite teams and players from the league, but this year adds a few new features including a more aggressive game with bigger hits (thanks to NHL Collision Physics), a fighting mechanic powered by EA Sports' Enforcer Engine (powered by Fight Night tech), one-touch dekes, and other slick moves. This year's game also introduces the "Live the Life" mode, a refreshed version of the "Be a Pro" career mode, where every decision you make on or off the ice can shape your career as a hockey star; plus there's a retro NHL 94 Anniversary mode. This PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 sports game also supports multiplayer matches over the Internet or side-by-side on the same television.
Is it any good?
QUALITY
As with most annual sports games, it's tough to see a major difference every year. Unless you're a huge fan of the franchise and want the latest team rosters and new features, you might want to wait every 2 or 3 years before buying into a new NHL game to really see major changes. This year's version is it's a faster and more aggressive game and the controls have been tweaked to offer greater dexterity and movement (for example, the left stick and one button lets you easily deke opponents). While it's a great idea, the NHL 94 Anniversary mode isn't as much fun to play despite the old-school graphics, 16-bit sounds, and faster gameplay. Overall, NHL 14 isn't a bad hockey game at all -- in fact, it's fun, good looking, and has a number of solo and multiplayer modes -- but it's just not very different than last year's game, despite the marketing efforts to convince you otherwise.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about violence in sports and the ramifications of that violence.
They can also talk about how to stay safe when interacting online.
Game details
| Platforms: | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Developer: | EA Sports |
| Release date: | September 10, 2013 |
| Genre: | Sports |
| Topics: | Sports and martial arts, Great boy role models |
| ESRB rating: | E10+ for Mild Violence. (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) |
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NHL 14
It is not that good, like i mean nothing compare to PES 2013, but the characters are positive role models, and it gives a good message
What other families should know
Great role models
Safety and privacy concerns
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QUALITY
Is chess all about violence?
Actually, it's not aggressive, but just more competitive. Sport games, if not played on keyboards or game pads but "active" controllers like Kinect, TrackIR etc, can sometimes turn out into a lightweight excercise. I played tons of classic DOS sport games (mostly soccer and tennis), they were not aggressive - just like table soccer or ping pong. People on Common Sense Media may be very hilarious - they may even think that chess encourages kids to be more evil, while draughts (checkers) are MORE violent than chess!!!
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QUALITY
It really captures hockey in it´s true form!
I think it´s an awesome game for kids that like sports games. There is the possibility of fighting on the ice rink but there´s no blood or anything.
The graphics have improved sinse the last NHL game!
You can now tell what player he is from the face behind the mask.
I recomend it for real hockey fans but if you don´t really like hockey don´t buy it! It´s not worth 50 USD unless your a real hockey lover.
What other families should know
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much consumerism
Safety and privacy concerns
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